Looking into getting a third generation charger

[rickvare]

Hello everyone,

Did some forum reading here and this looks like a great community of very wise and ambitious charger fans. I thought I'd register and ask for help in my research. I'm not much of a gear-head so please bear with me.

I'm strongly considering buying a third generation charger. I don't plan on buying for 6mo-1yr or more, so there's no urgency; just researching so I know what I can expect to pay given my desires for the car before I actually go hunting. I'd like to explain what I want vs. what I don't care about and see what you guys have to say, if anything. Thanks to anyone that even bothers to read and I apologize in advance if it's confusing, contrived or unreasonable.

My biggest considerations are an engine and transmission in decent shape that can reasonably go another 100k or so miles. I say it that way because I've seen that some cars have 80, 90, 100k+ miles already on them but the engines and trans have been completely replaced. I imagine the car has more life in that case than its mileage would suggest, so I'll take that into consideration. If not replaced, should be under 50k. I'm fine if it needs a few minor tweaks under the hood but want to avoid any major issues. I also want an automatic transmission and power steering. This won't be a weekend car for me, so the life is most important. I have a very tame and conservative driving style so I'm not gonna push the poor girl. That about ends my "musts."

Other than that, I'm very flexible. I'm not keen on the ones I've been seeing online that have been completely head-to-toe restored, crazy paint jobs, new everything and been sleeping in a garage all its life for outrageous prices. I'm not concerned with performance or which engine (don't want a 440 ). Standard base-level working engine and trans is fine. For year, the closer to 1974 without going over, the better - I'll consider a great '71 but no lower. Darker the color the better but like I said, all flexible. For exterior, I don't want panel damage but a few nicks, some rust and paint fade are fine. Not picky about interior - as long as the seats don't have tons of huge rips and the dashboard isn't cracked, it's fine. No need for power windows, fancy audio systems or other features.

I guess you could say in a nutshell, I want someone's old weekend car that has been reasonably cared for but decidedly worn and needs to go. I'm looking to spend 9-13k. If anyone has any input it's seriously appreciated. If I'm being unreasonable with what I want or my budget, politely tell me but please don't treat me like I'm dumb. Think of me as well-meaning but just ignorant. I don't want to seem like someone who expects a lot for nothing, I'm just trying to get a good idea of what I can expect with my budget and see how that matches with my desires for the car. If you guys need more information I will do my best to provide it. I apologize if my post is a problem for anyone or the forum.

Thank you.

[Brock Samson]

 Great First Post, welcome to the Mix.. 
your budget is fine for a decent Small Block third Gen. it may be Possible to get a '71-'74 with a 318 or 340 which would be my recommendation. the earlier the better I'd say, perhaps a black '71 Special Edition could be found, though cracked dash pads seem to be the norm, generally if they're still intact, they'll be pretty expensive...
Again Welcome! 

[djcarguy]

hi, 318 and auto can be agreat fun car and affordable ta drive.i would look for a nice clean one with no rust and a rebuilt engine.look local and craigs list,not ebay. you have to learn what to look out for and pay to get it inspected before you buy it.dont buy on ebay or long distance with out inspection,no way ,no matter how good it looks in those tiny little pictures. all the best in hunt.   dj west coast

[Brass]

Welcome and happy hunting - you must be excited!  (I'm loving the 3rd gens more and more.)  BTW, if you do happen to find one you're interested in but is out of your way, there might be a site member who is local to the car and willing to look at it for you.  Feel free to post pics of any potential candidates because we love those too.

[tricky lugnuts]

Welcome! 

I'm really only familiar with the '71s, as I've got an SE of that year . . . But I would think you should be able to get into a really decent third generation Charger with the amount of money you're talking about, especially with "muscle car" prices down somewhat, as they are. And a good small block Charger, especially.

Alright - I'm going to push the outer limits and recommend a 340 Super Bee, your choice of color, auto on the column with buddy seat - OK, even today, that might be tough to find in good, running condition for $13,000 or so. 

But I think you're going about this the right way: Take your time to feel the water and find the right car for you. I would watch out particularly for rust, rust anywhere. It's much tougher to replace metal on a third generation than some other cars, i.e. a '68-69 . . . Check the car out before you buy, buy nothing sight unseen. And like Brass said, you might be able to find a member willing to look at a car for you.

It kind of sounds like you want a car with original paint and drivetrain, or something that is simply in good shape but not completely restored. Solid, original cars in good running condition do pop up from time to time, and usually draw a premium, even small blocks.

But a lot of Chargers are going to need - at a very minimum - engine and transmission and body work by this point in their lives. These cars are turning 40 years old now. My experience is that a car that old, even a Charger, is always going to require some work and some parts, some of which are expensive and some of which are hard to find. And when you own a Charger, sometimes it feels like it's never really "done," in a sense.

Keep your eye on eBay. Cars do pop for sale on this site, on forbbodiesonly.com and over at Moparts, too. Good luck! Third generation Chargers are awesome cars!

[NHCharger]

Welcome 
Can't go wrong with a 3rd gen. If your not concerned about performance a 73 or 74 would be the way to go price wise. The 73/74 model is the least desirable since Dodge had abandoned the performance market by then along with everyone else. You will probably be able to find a nice 318 driver that Grampa puttered around in for well under 10k. As mentioned above it will be hard to find one that doesn't need any work but sometimes you find one that needs nothing more than minimal body work and paint.
Over the past two years I have seen some real nice 73/74's priced under 10k, of course I never looked at them in person and they could have been a perfumed pig.

[41husk]

Welcome! and good luck,  I would advise to pay for the car that is as close to done as possible it will save you much time and trouble.  It is hard to predict market prices in the future.  Now prices are very good and a 318 car would give you the biggest bang for your buck but the 400s are truly priced near the 318 cars, so a low dollar big block car is not out of the question.  As far as value the 73-74 cars SEs in particullar are priced much better than 71-72 models generaly speaking.  I wish you luck on the search and purchase.  Where are you located?

[400/6/PAC]

Welcome.
Good luck with Your search and let us know what You find.

[triple_green]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p5197.c0.m619&item=320656046172&viewitem=&category=6199

This looks like a nice ride, but needs to be priced more in the $7-8K range.


3X

[ACUDANUT]

 Stay with a 71 or 72 Body style. 

[mikesbbody]

  that's not to say 73-74's are no good I just prefer 71-72's.

[rickvare]

Wow, what a turnout! I want to thank everyone for their replies. Your advice is sincerely appreciated and has an air of experience. So far and overall, I'm very impressed with what I'm reading here. Especially the idea that members may be willing to look at cars - that is exceptionally generous.

Just to touch on what a few members have said,

Welcome! 
...
It kind of sounds like you want a car with original paint and drivetrain, or something that is simply in good shape but not completely restored. Solid, original cars in good running condition do pop up from time to time, and usually draw a premium, even small blocks.

Well, not necessarily, unless of course you're making a recommendation. Then kindly disregard the following. I wouldn't mind a car that's had a paint job - it's just something like this that I'd want to avoid. (My general motto for appearance - whether cars or clothes - is "bold, but understated." I say, let the car do the talking, not the paint .)  If there is a premium for original paint jobs, I'll for-go them for something cheaper. Same goes for original drivetrain or anything original for that matter.

Basically, I'm trying to identify, from you wise, experienced owners, what features exactly draw premiums so I can avoid the extraneous premiums, and perhaps find discounts for things I'm not particular about. This way I can be an educated buyer. Within reason, of course. 440's obviously draw premiums, so I'm perfectly happy with a 318, for example. But on the other side, I'm not trying to look for discounts in ripped-to-shreds seats and warped rims. haha

Welcome 
Can't go wrong with a 3rd gen. If your not concerned about performance a 73 or 74 would be the way to go price wise. The 73/74 model is the least desirable since Dodge had abandoned the performance market by then along with everyone else. You will probably be able to find a nice 318 driver that Grampa puttered around in for well under 10k. As mentioned above it will be hard to find one that doesn't need any work but sometimes you find one that needs nothing more than minimal body work and paint.
Over the past two years I have seen some real nice 73/74's priced under 10k, of course I never looked at them in person and they could have been a perfumed pig.

This is great news. I actually like the 74 the most, looks-wise, of the ones I've seen. Call me crazy. Good to know those are less desirable, as a major premium can be avoided there. Performance is not a concern, yes; I figure even a 318 is certainly no slug, and my driving style, while I wouldn't say "slow" is conservative. As for finding one that won't need work, well good thing I'm not in a rush. One that just needs minimal body work and paint would be great, I can certainly wait on fixing that. As long as I can be on the road regularly I'll take my time with the cosmetics.

Welcome! and good luck,  I would advise to pay for the car that is as close to done as possible it will save you much time and trouble.  It is hard to predict market prices in the future.  Now prices are very good and a 318 car would give you the biggest bang for your buck but the 400s are truly priced near the 318 cars, so a low dollar big block car is not out of the question.  As far as value the 73-74 cars SEs in particullar are priced much better than 71-72 models generaly speaking.  I wish you luck on the search and purchase.  Where are you located?

Good advice, and it reinforces what NHCharger said, which is fantastic. I am located in Connecticut.

Do you guys feel in general, that listings on the internet (ebay, autotrader, whatever) are overpriced? I can almost hear the yes's coming in...but to what degree in your opinion (general-average)? Many times I see random cars (not just in this search) where I think the seller is out of his mind thinking his car is worth that much!

Again, thanks to all who have contributed. You guys are invaluable consultants.

[greenpigs]

Do you guys feel in general, that listings on the internet (ebay, autotrader, whatever) are overpriced?

Nope I don't think Ebay is overpriced but when a solid car pops getting it for a steal is most likely not going to happen. The 73 & 74 are not a popular so you may be able to score one of those at a lower price.

[RallyeMike]

Try looking at this one:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,73602.0.html

If its a real U-code 440 73, they only made 700+ of them. 73 is nearly identical to 74s. If he hasnt sold it, It might be a decent deal. I don't personnaly know anything about the car, just remembered the add because I recently sold a 74 U-code car nearly identical to it.

[TeeWJay426]

Not sure what your time frame is, but I have a '73 SE I'll be putting on the market this spring. If you're interested, PM me and I can supply you details & pics.